The Dark Clouds and the The Blue Skies

March 27, 2020

Good Morning Students and Staff,

We find our selves yet again waking to a new directive from our Governor and a new understanding of what the remainder of the school year will look like. It's hard to put into words how I am feeling. Disbelief, sadness, worry, shock, grief, but also hope, promise, love, anticipation, and strength. By sheer will, I stubbornly believe that we will get through this and be stronger for it on the other end.

I think if you ask my husband or my parents to describe me, one of the words that they might say is stubborn. It's not generally the first thing I think about my self, but I do acknowledge that I am quite stubborn...

When I was a kid I had a hard time in school, struggling with learning the things that came much more easily to my older sister. I worked like a dog to figure out how to learn. I worked with special education instructors, took extra time out of my day to study one on one with my teachers, and I refused to accept that I wasn't capable enough to learn.

When I decide I am going to do something, I generally find a way to make it happen. As a kid, I played on the boy's basketball team in the summer because there was no girl's summer team. I taught my self how to snowboard in college as a distraction after the loss of an important relationship, and I have become capable of using American Sign Language in the wake of my daughter's hearing loss diagnosis six years ago.

From my stubbornness, comes my unfailing belief that I have the power to will everyone around me to be okay...I guess that's why I became a school counselor. I know it's kind of silly to think that I can will you all to be okay through these tough times, but as I've become a bit older and wiser, I've learned that if I can't will it, at least I can walk beside you through it.

So that is what I'll continue to do. I am going to accept my own emotions around all of this, practice some self-care, and put my stubbornness to good use helping you all manage it too!

I know that we can do this! Our community is strong and capable and connected.

The blue sky remains, and these clouds too shall pass.

With respect and love today and always,

Mrs. Hempey

Please lean on me!